So Long Solunar

Well, not really so long............. It just sounds like a nice play on words.  Of late I've been checking out solunar (Sol for sun and Lunar for moon), based phone apps.  On the face of it they tell, mostly fishermen and hunters when wildlife activity is likely to be high during any 24 hour cycle. Crudely, if you know the exact time of sunrise and sunset, and moonrise and moonset in a 24 hour period, you have a good indicator of the 4 periods of heightened activity, the solunar periods; 2 minor periods  and 2 major activity periods.

Actually, not necessarily.  Other factors come into play such as weather, latitude and longitude and moon phases.  The sun and moon exert great gravitational force on the earth and I can imagine that wildlife is sensitive to the greater forces found during the full moon, when the sun and moon are opposite each other and the new moon, when the sun and moon combined pull in one direction.  I imagine the deer, the squirrel, the pine marten, the otter feel this stronger gravity exert its inner pull, the starter cord for their instinctive 'engine', a guttural, Id thing.

Now it's quite late and I've started this, oh dear.  Should I wrap up and conclude at another time or carry on half baked?  Oven gloves ready.

• Weather - abnormal weather conditions affect animal and fish behaviour, cold fronts for example drive fish deeper under water and render them inactive.  Maybe warm blooded animals aren't too fussed though, given their fur.  Mind you, it's not a great idea to go looking for red squirrels during strong wind and / or rain.
• Sun and Moon - rise and set tend to exert minor periods of activity.  The major periods of activity tend to occur when the sun and moon are 'in transit' basically overhead (due south of where you are) and underfoot (due north  of where you are) and exercising greater gravitational force.  I think this brings extra considerations into view, those being phenomena such as perihelion and apogee and perigee of the moon. Thoughts and things are starting to get complex now, so just a word for the next one.
• Photoperiodism - the ratio of daylight to darkness on a given day.  The biggest changes in these ratios occurs around the spring and autumn equinoxes, when day length can change by 4 and a half minutes per day.

Words underdone?  Oh well, there are some more resources here:
Solunar Theory
The Real Scoop
How to Calculate Solunar Times

I wonder if Craig makes note of solunar activity when he's fishing.  Must find out.  One thing I do know though is that I'm out at 05:30 am next Tuesday conducting a black grouse lek search - walking the hills above Callander trying to find previously unknown congregations of birds: needles in haystacks.  The good thing is that they'll be quite vocal, so as long as the wind is in the right direction, it's not raining (apparently it won't be), we should see / hear them.  However, the solunar tables indicate that one of the the major solunar periods for the day ends at the same time as our search begins!  And, as the moon will be approximately 90 degrees behind the sun, gravity will be no great shakes.  My Solunar app shows a one out of six for activity on this day.  If by chance it is raining, then I'll bake a little longer in bed.

Intrepid Photography

Now offering intrepid:photography. We can take groups of photographers out on photography safaris, to explore some of the little known eye candy hidden away in the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.  We can provide expert how-to guidance, but Mr Guidance will have to be booked well in advance.  Just let us know when you'll be coming and what you'll be needing.

Cardross Moss

Moss on Oak Facing North

I spent the last weekend dog sitting at Cardross Estate.  While walking them around the parkland with the kids I came across this oak with what I think is a pretty definitive indicator to all points north.  I did cheat and use a compass to check - perfect and the first branch up on the left is facing east north east.  Being in an area of parkland, our specimen has lots of 'personal' space and is not sheltered from the prevailing south west winds.  A good example of moss growing on the north side of a tree.

Yesterday, Craig and I went up Ben Aan - the small pointed peak, or little mountain - with an entire school (of four pupils).  We were invited to come along (but not lead) on their sponsored walk and were delighted to attend / help out / share some knowledge with this fantastic little Trossachs School.  We took an age to climb its 461 metre ascent - I think it stands at 533m above sea level, having plenty of rest stops, playtimes and 'Craig wants to teach stuff' sessions.  Two hours later and assorted teacher, parents and toddling siblings were at the top surveying a moody vista:

View West Along Loch Katrine

Of course, because I'm not class favourite Ranger, my attempts to talk of the sun being due south at solar midday drove them to navel gaze.  Oh well, the eldest was 8. The parents were interested though!